STARI Highlights from October
Talk As a Bridge to Understanding
As you near the end of Unit 1, we wanted to put the spotlight this month on discussion and debate and how it supports students in STARI to deepen comprehension and build critical thinking. This month's newsletter includes resources and examples from the field to support you in this work.
What's in this issue:
Boost Student Talk • See Talk in Action • Learn With Us
Podcast Episode 3: Scaling STARI • AMLE in Indianapolis • STARI Community Forum
Resources to Support Classroom Discussion in STARI
Boost Student Talk
Use the Talk Moves Handout to guide discussions and debates, helping every student contribute, listen actively, and build on each other’s ideas.
Ms. Phillips-Santos’ 8th grade class engages in a discussion of the novel
Game, by Walter Dean Myers.
See Talk in Action
Watch short clips of STARI classrooms to see discussions and debates come alive. These examples show students using Talk Moves to share ideas, challenge each other, and build deeper understanding. 
Additional video examples can be found in the APT Video Library.
Learn With Us
Our professional learning sessions give teachers hands-on practice with discussion and debate strategies. See sessions 10-14 of STARI professional learning.
Building Student Voice: STARI & LAUSD Partner to Enhance Classroom Discussion
On October 6, the STARI team delivered Part 3 of our professional learning series to nearly 30 LAUSD teachers and leaders, focusing on strategies for facilitating powerful classroom discussions.
The session focused on strategies for motivating and guiding students through STARI’s guided reading and debate activities, centered on the theme “Talk as a bridge to deeper understanding.” Meaningful discussion helps students develop the complex comprehension skills essential for academic success.
Participants practiced using STARI Talk Moves techniques that help students articulate reasoning, listen actively, and engage with different perspectives, turning classroom talk into a rigorous learning tool.
Teachers reflected on the mindset shift required to let students lead discussions. As LA educators noted, it can feel uncomfortable to step back, but strong classroom norms and respectful discourse make student-led talk a powerful way to grapple with complex texts and ideas.
The energy and commitment of LAUSD educators continues to inspire us!
We're Heading to Austin!
SXSW EDU 2026
The STARI team is thrilled to share that SERP Stories has been selected for SXSW EDU 2026! We'll be taping a live episode in Austin, bringing the voices and stories of educators implementing STARI to the national stage.
A huge THANK YOU to this community for your votes and support in helping us get there. Stay tuned for more details as we get ready to share STARI with the world!
Connect with STARI
Episode 3: Scaling STARI
Could STARI succeed beyond Boston? This episode uncovers what scaling in education really demands and the lessons STARI's journey offers to anyone working to grow innovation in schools.
Join us at AMLE in Indianapolis, Nov 5-8!
Concurrent Session: Better Together: How Peer Collaboration Fuels Literacy Growth in Adolescents. 
Nov 6, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
Speed Session: Tier II That Teens Don't Hate: Literature Based Intervention That Works.
Nov 7, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
Visit us at Booth #416: Stop by to say hi!
STARI Community Forum - Nov 18th
Join the next STARI Community Forum on Nov 18 at 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET / 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM PT.
Together we'll tackle challenges, and celebrate what’s working in STARI classrooms.
What We've Been Reading...
Keep Calm and STARI On!
– The STARI Team